Hailing from the mountainous surrounds of Southern Oregon, Elk Witch is a heavy rock trio founded in 2019 by guitarist & vocalist Deven Andersen, bassist Darren Wostenberg, and drummer Joe Coitus.
When combined, the effect of that classic psych rock and progressive doom sound on their style has led critics to compare them to legendary bands such as Black Sabbath, The Sword, and The Obsessed. Leaning on riff-driven rock and raw energy to propel them forward on a sonic exploration, the band’s ability to seamlessly blend modern musical elements into 70s and 90s metal make them a must-listen for any fan of the genre.
In 2020, Elk Witch unveiled their debut EP, “The Mountain”, which ultimately laid the foundations for their signature sound. Catching the attention of StoneFly Records in 2021 the release of their debut album a year later (“Beyond the Mountain”, 2022) solidified their presence on the stoner rock landscape and showcased the band’s evolution and commitment to pushing boundaries. Their inevitable ascent was highlighted by impressive rankings on the Doom Charts which heralded their arrival as a rising force to be reckoned with.
Now in a partnership with Majestic Mountain Records, Elk Witch is poised to release their second full-length album in April 2024, and are leading the charge with the album’s new single and title track, “Azimuth”.
“To me, ‘Azimuth’ holds a feeling and vibe we were really going for on the album”, explains Deven Andersen. “The lyrics draw inspiration from a personal experience, a trip to the high desert in Eastern Oregon, a land of isolation with sparse population. It has an amazing blend of desert landscape with high peaked snow-covered mountains. I was thinking this is the place I would go if something happened to civilization”.
A natural progression from their debut, “Azimuth”, takes the core ingredients of that Elk Witch sound to a more refined and diverse plane. Delving into broader subject matters that extend beyond the earthly realms, it explores both the past and future of existence, while it’s sound – perfectly captured on wax by those hardworking wizards at Majestic Mountain Records – operates at a higher sonic level and clarity with near-flawless production.
“It’s a surreal feeling to be able to call Majestic Mountain Records home. It was on our minds from the get-go making our second record. There’s an undeniable vibe about MMR that resonates with us, and we felt a natural connection with them, especially given that Sweden is such a major force in the heavier and slower side of metal. We’re genuinely psyched about what it represents in the heavy underground scene”.
“Azimuth” will be released on April 19th, 2024, via Majestic Mountain Records on heavy weight 180g colour-in-colour vinyl (marbled red and smoky grey) with gatefold spine, and can be pre-ordered here.
Tracklist:
1. Dead Silence
2. Azimuth
3. Liminal Space
4. Empyrean
5. Vortex
6. Universe 25
7. Space Drift
8. Ghosts of the Lupatia
9. Goddess of Winter
Line-up:
Deven Andersen – Guitar / Vocals
Darren Wostenberg – Bass
Joe Coitus – Drums
Album credits:
Produced by: Elk Witch
Engineered by: Deven Andersen
Mixed by: Deven Andersen
Recorded & Mixed at Vortex Studios – Central Point, Oregon
Mastered by: Dan Coutant at Sun Room Audio – New Windsor, New York @srmmastering
Album Cover: Adam Burke @nightjarillustration
Gatefold Images: @Nibera and @Jadoarts
Gatefold Layout & Graphics: Deven Andersen
Web:
linktr.ee/Elkwitch
